Japan PM Kishida Says He'll Step Down in September

Decision comes after corruption scandals saw support for his party drop below 20 percent.

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a press conference at the prime minister's office in Tokyo on Aug. 14, 2024. Philip Fong/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Aug. 14 local time that he won’t run in the party’s leadership contest in September, paving the way for a new prime minister.

Kishida, president of the governing Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said during a televised news conference that the party must clearly demonstrate to the public a revised image through open and transparent elections.